Wood sealer.

[cyberlocc]

Hey guys so I wanted to get input on wood sealant. I am on the fence about Pond Armor, It is very expensive, for this semi large cage.

I read some people say acrylic paint works when water isnt sitting, though in my application water will be sitting somewhat.

So my cage is a 3 sides plywood and the floor is plywood. I need to seal the sides and the floor with something that will stand up to water (the floor is OSB, so I need very waterproof).

I would need likely 2 quarts of pond armor to seal this cage, (likely a tad over 1, so I would have to buy 2). I also want to make the interior white.

So what do you guys think standing water on Acrylic paint? Or maybe I could smear silicone over the Acrylic on the bottom? Any ideas would be helpful. Or if I have to use Pond Armor I will but 150 dollars for it.

 

[Chameleon Mike]

I wouldn't use the paint. I think you will be redoing it. What if you got pond liner, rubber membrane for the bottom, glue it to your plywood, trim the edges and use silicone around the perimeter.
Just a thought.

 

[cyberlocc]

I wouldn't use the paint. I think you will be redoing it. What if you got pond liner, rubber membrane for the bottom, glue it to your plywood, trim the edges and use silicone around the perimeter.
Just a thought.

I looked into this option as well. It would cost as much as the liquid stuff lol. Plus I can only find that stuff in black. Also the odd angles and beams would be hard to wrap in liner. As I built in 1x2 dragon Ledge like things. Plus a middle divider as this will be a living room "Quarantine" Cage, so it can be made big for a large cham (meller ect) and 2 smaller for smaller chams (smaller is 23.75 x 24 x 52, each).

To clear that up for you. The cage internals are 48 wide, 52 high 24 deep. So it is not small, by any means at all.

My wifes mom came over and I was building it and she though it was an entertainment center for our flat screen lol . It has a cubby under the "cage section" for a mist king and stuff.

I will likely have to just use Pond Armor .

 

[Chameleon Mike]

Wow sounds awesome. You'll have to post some pics when it's done. I guess the liner isn't an option then. I'm not sure what would be a cheaper fix but I still wouldn't use the paint. Sorry I couldn't help.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

Why not use white paint(non-toxic) and seal it off with Varathane? It would be non-toxic once dry and would give it a smooth finish. It's meant for skis, snowshoes, and etc. It's durable and a little can go a long ways. Unless you're going for an all white finish. Then a different route is needed.

 

[cyberlocc]

Why not use white paint(non-toxic) and seal it off with Varathane? It would be non-toxic once dry and would give it a smooth finish. It's meant for skis, snowshoes, and etc. It's durable and a little can go a long ways. Unless you're going for an all white finish. Then a different route is needed.

I will look into that idea . so just use White Acrylic paint and seal with Varathane? Will the Varathane hold up to pooling water?. I am going all white, why would that matter? If the white is tinted some that would be okay.

Wow sounds awesome. You'll have to post some pics when it's done. I guess the liner isn't an option then. I'm not sure what would be a cheaper fix but I still wouldn't use the paint. Sorry I couldn't help.

I defiantly will, I was thinking of making a thread of the frame I got done right now. I am no carpenter so its not perfect. But with enough paint and trim I think it will look good .

 

[MSMorgan]

How about flex seal. Says it's animal safe.

http://flexsealproducts.com/shop/li...mysFbJjK57bUaKmBHr11Fy2-UdyRM7vE0YaAvlj8P8HAQ

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

I will look into that idea . so just use White Acrylic paint and seal with Varathane? Will the Varathane hold up to pooling water?. I am going all white, why would that matter? If the white is tinted some that would be okay.[/QUOTE
Yes. Just white paint and var. Its meant for outdoor use for sun/wind and to hold up against the elements. And being it won't be tore up and beat on, it would do great! That's what I would do. Easy, effective, and safe.

 

[cyberlocc]

Yes. Just white paint and var. Its meant for outdoor use for sun/wind and to hold up against the elements. And being it won't be tore up and beat on, it would do great! That's what I would do. Easy, effective, and safe.

Have you used it on a floor though? If so how long did it hold up (Or has it).

How about flex seal. Says it's animal safe.

http://flexsealproducts.com/shop/li...mysFbJjK57bUaKmBHr11Fy2-UdyRM7vE0YaAvlj8P8HAQ

I was looking at that, I seen on a reptile forum that someone talked to a rep and they said its toxic even when dried? It is also pretty expensive as well. I know the can is cheap, but you have to look at the coverage. The coverage of that stuff is 8 sq ft per 15 dollar can, and I got about 70-80 SQ FT.

I been looking at the plywood Aqurium sites alot for ideas. And they said a variant of that is best. As it is still flexible after being applied. So it wont crack like marine epoxy. the Pond Armor is kind of a middle ground, its semi flexible but still an epoxy so a cross between the 2 (it can still crack though).

 

[MSMorgan]

For what it's worth, with the info you've provided, I'd go with the paint and Varathane. Tried and tested.

 

[cyberlocc]

For what it's worth, with the info you've provided, I'd go with the paint and Varathane. Tried and tested.

I know it is on walls, the worry I have is the floor. As varathane and paint both only provide water resistances not water proofing. I have seen alot of endorsements for the Acrylic paint but only for walls, that get a light water that runs down not water sitting. Though its not like a tank that holds constant supply of water. So it is likely okay .

I have a big old thing of both oil and water based polyurethanes right here so that is defiantly a cheaper route. I just worry about the longevity. Especially with the OSB floor, it wont take much of a leak to ruin it.

 

[Lathis]

I use plastic sheeting set in silicone caulk for the bottom of my cage which is also plywood. Easy to clean and easy to replace if it gets damaged or too gross to clean. Get the heavy mil black stuff for under concrete slabs. Roll the edges neatly, bread pan the corners, and staple in place. Easy peasy. One roll will last you forever, totally watertight, and you can tie the plastic straight into your drain system.

 

[Deo]

i built a cage over a year, maybe a year and a half ago. it was an old dresser/entertainment center.. so it is primarily wood besides the screen sides, and plexiglass doors. I just stained and poly'd the whole thing and let it sit for several weeks.. it has held up this long with no issues what so ever.. several mistings every day.

 

[cyberlocc]

I use plastic sheeting set in silicone caulk for the bottom of my cage which is also plywood. Easy to clean and easy to replace if it gets damaged or too gross to clean. Get the heavy mil black stuff for under concrete slabs. Roll the edges neatly, bread pan the corners, and staple in place. Easy peasy. One roll will last you forever, totally watertight, and you can tie the plastic straight into your drain system.

What kind of plastic? Like Pond Liner?

I will say one thing, I am on the fence about building all my cages for my reptile room (there will be, quite a few ). If I do I am using PVCX next time lol.

Also dont need a drain, this is going to be a "Glass" Tank. The doors will be sliding 1/4 inch tempered glass. The entire cage will be sealed, aside from 3 x 4 inch vents in the bottom front. With huge Planting Boxes in the cage .

 

[cyberlocc]

Dang you guys and your good ideas. So I have a final plan, however it involves undoing and changing a bunch of work I already did. But that is life am I right .

So new plan, I am swapping out the front venting panel. For a 2x6, the back will also have a 2x6, as will the sides. I will then glue pond liner into the floor and 2x6s. Then I will staple the pond liner to the top of the 2x6s, and 1x2s to frame the 2x6s tops. The 1x2s will be painted as will the walls.

This will give me 5.5 inch deep "Box floors" I will then fill those with dirt and use a bio active substrate (which I wanted to do anyway).

With the false bottom, that will give me maybe 4-4.5 inches of dirt

On and I will move the vent panels to the Sides to cover the staples over there .

 

[MSMorgan]

Cyber, post up a few pics. Everyone loves build pics.

 

[Lathis]

This will give me 5.5 inch deep "Box floors" I will then fill those with dirt and use a bio active substrate (which I wanted to do anyway).

You'll love this! Save room for about an inch of hydroballs for drainage and filter fabric - this will keep your soil from getting soupy and help with humidity by acting as a reservoir. Low light shrubby ground cover like thyme or woodruff works really well in about 3-4 inches of soil over clay balls.

 

[cyberlocc]

You'll love this! Save room for about an inch of hydroballs for drainage and filter fabric - this will keep your soil from getting soupy and help with humidity by acting as a reservoir. Low light shrubby ground cover like thyme or woodruff works really well in about 3-4 inches of soil over clay balls.

Yep I was planning some of that, and drop a ficus or something in. I know its low soil but wide so I figured the Ficus would be okay right? . That was my idea, either hydro balls or like a egg crate with a drain in there.

So update on the sealer though. The Pond liner cost as much as like Liquid Rubber lol. So I will likely just use that?

So I may raise the soil layer anyway. I was planning to use 1x2s to cover the pond liner. If I go with Liquid Rubber I still might and also coat those as well now that will give me more depth of soil.

I was thinking, of using some cork board as a background. And then grape vines in the cages, let them take over .

 

[cyberlocc]

Cyber, post up a few pics. Everyone loves build pics.

Okay, but please keep in mind I am no carpenter. I have been doing a lot of wood work lately but its really the first time for a lot of it . It is quite relaxing and stressful at the same time hehe.

So here is the current project cage.
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Here is my outdoor cage, I need to find the thread I was asked for pics of it . Its not done inside, nor out but mostly. I want to add some trim around the bottom and top parts, and sides and back to cover the screen. The inside needs more branches and a live pothos goes in there when she is out there. It was built on a schedule a short one. she was sick and I needed it asap, its sealed with Polycrylic. I wanted to get her some real sun to help her out.
View media item 42881View media item 42879View media item 42877

 

[cyberlocc]

Alright guys, so I have finally came to a decision that is absolute .

It is a little more expensive than other options, however it has a major advantage. I am going to use Sweetwater Epoxy Paint. Its 86 dollars for a "Kit" however that kit covers 400SQ FT. Meaning I will be able to coat the entire cage inside and out, then cover the outside with some black acrylic after the fact.

It has been used in the past by the Plywood Aquarium people, if it will hold 500gs of water in a plywood tank I think it will be up to the task .

Silicon sticks to it, and so does paint. Those are benefits the liquid rubber does not have.